Latch and handle arrangement for a telecommunications panel

ABSTRACT

A latch and handle arrangement for a panel that provides a number of functions. The arrangement including a lever arm that functions as both a handle and a latch release in some panel and frame embodiments. The lever arm also functioning as a fastener cover in other panel and frame embodiments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/816,004, filed Jun. 23, 2006; which application is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for use in thetelecommunications industry, and various methods associated with suchdevices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to latch and handlearrangements for telecommunication panels.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunication panels are used to provide electrical connections in awide variety of telecommunication applications. The panels are oftenhoused within and mounted to racks and cabinets, for example. Many racksand cabinets include frames having defined positions at which panels maybe mounted. The panels are typically secured to the frame by standardmechanical fasteners, such as screws. The panels are assembled anddisassembled from the rack using conventional tools, such as ascrewdriver. The fasteners or screws of the panel are completely visibleand accessible.

Such known panels sometimes have latches for locking the panel in astationary position when mounted at a location on the frame. Thesepanels also may have separate handles for pulling or removing the panelfrom the frame.

In general, improvement has been sought with respect totelecommunications panel arrangements and methods.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a combined latch and handlearrangement for a telecommunications panel. A variety of examples ofdesirable product features or methods are set forth in part in thedescription that follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of thedisclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to individualfeatures as well as combinations of features. It is to be understoodthat both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimedinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a telecommunications panelillustrating one embodiment of a latch and handle arrangement, accordingto the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of the latch and handlearrangement of the telecommunications panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, top plan view of the latch and handlearrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another telecommunications panelillustrating another embodiment of a latch and handle arrangement,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the telecommunications panel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the telecommunications panelof FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial, side perspective view of the latch and handlearrangement of the telecommunications panel of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a partial, front perspective view of the latch and handlearrangement of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a partial, cross-sectional, top plan view of the latch andhandle arrangement of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a telecommunications panel 12including a latch and handle arrangement 10 in accordance with theprinciples disclosed. In use, the telecommunications panel 12 istypically mounted to a frame 14 (partially and schematically representedin FIG. 1), such as a telecommunications rack frame, for example. Thepanel 12 and latch and handle arrangement 10 can also be utilized inother systems and structures, such as cabinets and wall boxes, forexample. The panel 12 in the illustrated embodiment is a patch panel,however, other types of panels and equipment can be provided with thepresent latch and handle arrangement in accordance with the principlesdisclosed.

In conventional panel arrangements, the latch release mechanism and thehandle are provided as separate components. In the illustratedembodiment, the present arrangement 10 combines the functions andfeatures of a latch release and a handle into a single mechanism orcomponent. In yet another embodiment, the present arrangement 10functions as a latch release and a handle, and further as a fastenercover.

The latch and handle arrangement 10 of FIGS. 1-3 is provided on a panel12 having a snap-fit mounting arrangement (not shown); although thearrangement 10 can also be provided on panels with standard fastenermounting arrangements. The snap-fit mounting arrangement of the panelillustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is configured to mount to the panel to a framewithout the use of fasteners. Further details of such a mountingarrangement are provided in U.S. Application Ser. No. ______, havingAttorney Docket No. 2316.2403USU1; which application is incorporatedherein by reference.

The panel 12 is mounted to the frame 14 by simply sliding the panel 12into a panel-mounting location defined by the frame. In the illustratedembodiment, the frame 14 includes a flexible latch 18 (FIG. 2) thatlocks the panel 12 in position relative to the frame 14. Duringinstallation of the panel 12, the latch 18 deflects outward, but thenreturns to the position shown in FIG. 2 when the panel is fully insertedor installed within the frame 14. The latch 18 includes a catch 20 thatengages a corresponding aperture 22 (e.g., notch or slot) formed in thepanel 12 to lock the panel in position relative to the frame 14.

The latch and handle arrangement 10 of the present disclosure is used toremove the panel 12 from the frame 14. The arrangement 10 generallyincludes a lever arm or handle 16 provided on a front face 32 of thepanel 12. Pulling and rotating the lever arm 16 disengages the latch 18of the frame 14 from the panel 12. The lever arm 16 further functions asa handle so that the panel 12 can be both released and pulled out fromthe frame 14 in one movement.

In particular, to remove the panel 12 from the frame 14, the lever arm16 is rotated from a first (closed) position to a second releasingposition (the second releasing position shown in FIGS. 1-3). Referringto FIG. 3, as a first end 24 of the lever arm 16 pivots to the secondreleasing position, a disengagement tab 26 located at a second end 28 ofthe lever arm contacts the latch 18 of the frame 14. The disengagementtab 26 biases or deflects the latch 18 away from the panel 12 such thatthe catch 20 disengages from the notch 22 of the panel 12. When thelatch 18 has been released or disengaged, the lever arm 16 is ideallypositioned to function as a handle for removing the panel. Inparticular, with the frame latch 18 disengaged, the lever arm 16 extendsoutward from the front face 32 of the panel 12. The outward extendinglever arm 16 can then be pulled upon to remove the panel 12 from theframe 14. While FIGS. 1-3 show only one latch and handle arrangement 10,as can be understood, the panel 12 typically includes two latch andhandle arrangements located at opposite sides of the panel 12.

In the above application, the latch and handle arrangement 10 functionsas both a latch release element and as a handle to remove the panel 12from the frame 14. In another application, however, the presentarrangement 10 can be used with panels having standard fastener mountingarrangements, and whereby the arrangement functions as a latch releaseelement and a handle, as well as a fastener cover.

For example, latch and handle arrangement 10 can be provided on panelshaving standard fastener mounting brackets that utilize mounting screwsto fasten the panel to the frame. The mounting screws are typicallyvisible and accessible from the front of such panels. With the presentlatch and handle arrangement, the screws can be covered by the lever arm16 when the lever arm is in a closed position. Covering the fasteners orscrews of a fastener mounted panel provides advantages in that thescrews of the panel and frame system are no longer visible; the systemthereby being more aesthetically pleasing. In addition, covering thescrews can deter unwanted access to the internal region of the panels.That is, the lever arm 16 acts as a low level security feature by hidingthe screws from plain sight. The lever arm 16 can further include detentbumps or similar structure to secure or lock the lever arm 16 in theclosed position, if desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, another embodiment of a latch and handlearrangement 110 is illustrated. The arrangement 110 is shown on a panel112 having a snap-fit mounting arrangement 130 that snap-fits the panel112 to a telecommunications frame 114; although the arrangement 110 canalso be used on panels having standard fastener mounting arrangements.The snap-fit mounting arrangement 130 of the panel 112 shown in FIGS.4-9 is configured to mount the panel 112 to the frame 114 without theuse of fasteners. Further details of such a mounting arrangement areprovided in U.S. Application Ser. No. ______, having Attorney Docket No.2316.2403USU1; which application is previously incorporated herein byreference.

The panel 112 is mounted to the frame 114 by simply sliding the panel112 into a panel mounting location defined by the frame. In theillustrated embodiment, the panel 112 includes a flexible latch 118(FIG. 7) that locks the panel 112 in a position relative to the frame114. While installing the panel 112 into the frame, the latch 118deflects, but then returns to the position shown in FIG. 5 when thepanel is fully inserted or installed within the frame. The latch 118includes a catch 120 (FIG. 9) that engages a corresponding aperture 122(e.g., notch or slot) formed in the frame 114 to lock the panel 112 inposition relative to the frame.

Similar to the previous embodiment, the latch and handle arrangement 110is used to remove the panel 112 from the frame 114. The arrangement 110generally includes a lever arm or handle 116 (FIGS. 6 and 7) provided ona front face 132 of the panel 112. Pulling and rotating the lever arm116 disengages the latch 118 of the panel 112 from the frame. The leverarm 116 further functions as a handle so that the panel 112 can be bothreleased and pulled out from the frame in one movement.

In particular, and referring to FIG. 9, as a first end 124 of the leverarm or handle 116 is pivoted from a first (closed) position (shown inFIG. 4) to a second releasing position (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), adisengagement tab 126 located at a second end 128 of the lever armcontacts the latch 118 of the panel 112. The disengagement tab 126biases or deflects the latch 118 away from the frame 114 such that thecatch 120 disengages from the notch 122 of the frame. When the latch 118has been released or disengaged, the lever arm 116 is ideally positionedto function as a handle for removing the panel. In particular, with thepanel latch 118 disengaged, the lever arm 112 extends outward from thefront face 132 of panel 112 so that the panel can be pulled out andremoved from the frame. The latch and handle arrangement 110 accordinglyfunctions as both a latch release element and as a handle. As shown, thepanel 112 typically includes two latch and handle arrangements 110located adjacent to opposite sides of the panel 112.

Similar to the previous embodiment, the present arrangement 110 can beused with panels having standard fastener mounting arrangements, so thatthe arrangement functions not only as a latch release element and ahandle, but also as a fastener cover.

For example, referring back to FIG. 6, the panel 112 can includemounting brackets 134 having fastener holes 136. The provision of suchbrackets 134 allows the panel 112 to be used on conventional frameshaving only fastener-mounting capability. Mounting screws that fastenpanels to convention frames are typically visible and accessible fromthe front of the panel. With the present latch and handle arrangement,the screws (and/or fastener holes, e.g., 136) are covered by the leverarm 116 when the lever arm is in the first closed position (see FIG. 4).Covering the fasteners or screws of a fastener mounted panel providesadvantages in that the screws of the panel and frame system are nolonger visible; the system thereby being more aesthetically pleasing. Inaddition, covering the screws can deter unwanted access to the internalregion of the panels. That is, the lever arm 116 acts as a low levelsecurity feature by hiding the screws, and can include detent bumps orsimilar structure to secure or lock the lever arm 116 in the closedposition, if desired.

The above specification provides a complete description of the presentinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects ofthe invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A telecommunications system, comprising: a) a telecommunicationsframe having side frame members, the telecommunications frame defining aplurality of panel-mounting locations; b) a telecommunications panelpositioned within a selected panel-mounting location defined by theframe; and c) a flexible latch that locks the panel in position relativeto the frame, the flexible latch being provided on one of the panel andthe frame, the flexible latch including a catch positioned within acorresponding aperture formed in the other of the panel and the frame;d) wherein the telecommunications panel includes a latch and handlearrangement, the latch and handle arrangement including: i) a rotatablehandle having a first end and a second end, the second end including atab extension that contacts the flexible latch when the handle isrotated from a first position to a second position; ii) wherein contactbetween the tab extension and the flexible latch disengages the catchfrom the corresponding aperture so that the panel can be removed fromthe frame.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the handleis pulled to remove the panel from the frame when the handle is rotatedto the second position.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the latch isprovided on the panel and the corresponding aperture is formed in theframe.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the tab extension biases thelatch in an inward direction as the handle rotates from the firstposition to the second position.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thelatch is provided on the frame and the corresponding aperture is formedin the panel.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tab extension biasesthe latch in an outward direction as the handle rotates from the firstposition to the second position.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein therotatable handle is located on a face plate of the telecommunicationspanel.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the panel includes two latchand handle arrangements located at opposite sides of the panel.
 9. Amethod of removing a telecommunications panel from a telecommunicationsframe, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing atelecommunications panel releasably locked in position relative to atelecommunications frame; b) rotating a handle provided on the panel,wherein rotating the handle includes simultaneously releasing a latchthat locks that telecommunications panel in position relative to thetelecommunications frame; and c) pulling on the handle to remove thereleased telecommunications panel from the telecommunications frame. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the latch is provided on thetelecommunications frame, and wherein releasing the latch includesbiasing the latch such that a catch of the latch disengages from a notchformed in the telecommunications panel.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the latch is provided on the telecommunications panel, andwherein releasing the latch includes biasing the latch such that a catchof the latch disengages from a notch formed in the telecommunicationsframe.